Planning A Wedding Reception: No Dinner, No Problem!

Planning a wedding reception without a formal dinner is becoming an increasingly popular option for couples. This could be because it's a more pleasurable, hassle-free, and exciting way to celebrate your wedding. There are many alternatives to a formal dinner, including a restaurant party, a laid-back BBQ, or a fun outdoor movie night.

Choosing a venue

When planning a wedding reception without dinner, the venue you choose will be key to the success of your event.

If you're not serving a formal sit-down meal, you'll have a lot more flexibility when it comes to choosing a venue. You won't need to worry about seating arrangements or table layouts, so you can consider venues that might not usually be suitable for a wedding reception.

For example, you could opt for a restaurant that serves a different style of cuisine, such as Italian or Spanish, or a venue that can create signature cocktails for you and your partner. If you're having a small wedding, you could even book a private room at a restaurant. Alternatively, if you're having a more casual celebration, you could host a laid-back BBQ in your garden or backyard, decorated with fairy lights, paper lanterns, and homemade decorations.

Another option is to choose a venue that offers a unique experience, such as an outdoor movie night with bean bags, fairy lights, and a projector, or a beach wedding with a fun photo shoot.

When deciding on a venue, keep in mind that catering and the amount of space you'll need will impact the cost. So, if you're not serving dinner, you may be able to save money by choosing a smaller venue or one that doesn't typically cater to wedding receptions.

Catering options

If you're planning a wedding reception without a formal dinner, there are still plenty of catering options to choose from. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Signature cocktails: Ask the venue to create a couple of signature cocktails named after you and your partner, or your favourite holiday destination or film.
• Hors d'oeuvres: Have staff serve bite-sized hors d'oeuvres, such as oysters or a range of local cheeses.
• Food stations: Set up food stations serving a variety of dishes, such as oysters, local cheeses, or other bite-sized treats.
• Restaurant: Choose a restaurant that serves a different style of cuisine, such as Italian or Spanish, or opt for a taster menu. If you can book a private room, even better!
• BBQ: If you're having a backyard wedding, a laid-back BBQ is a perfect catering option. Decorate your garden with festoon lighting and paper lanterns, and put together a playlist of chilled summer tunes.
• Buffet: A buffet-style meal is a great way to offer a variety of options to your guests. You could have a theme, such as a Mediterranean buffet with dishes like hummus, tabbouleh, and grilled vegetables.

Seating arrangements

• Create a mix of seating options, including couches, bean bags, and chairs, to give guests a variety of choices.
• Set up lounge areas with comfortable seating and low tables, which can encourage guests to relax and socialise.
• If you're having food stations, place seating near these stations to encourage guests to sit and enjoy their food.
• For a more traditional approach, you can still have a head table for the bridal party, with the bride and groom seated in the centre. The rest of the bridal party can be seated on either side, facing the guests.
• If you prefer a more modern vibe, arrange the bridal party table among the guests. This can create a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere.
• Consider the number of guests you're inviting and the space available at your venue to determine the best seating arrangement.

Decorations

If you're planning a wedding reception without dinner, decorations are a great way to set the tone and create a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

For an outdoor reception, festoon lighting, paper lanterns, and fairy lights can add a magical, whimsical feel. You could also create homemade decorations such as photo bunting, which is a great way to personalise your celebration and showcase your favourite memories. If you're having an indoor reception, you could still use fairy lights and lanterns, or opt for candles to create a romantic, intimate vibe.

To add a unique touch, ask your venue to create signature cocktails named after you and your partner, or your favourite holiday destination or film. You could also have a few food stations serving oysters, local cheeses, and other bite-sized treats for guests to enjoy.

For a beach wedding, consider a fun photo shoot by the sea, and if you're feeling adventurous, hitch up your wedding gown and go for a paddle! This will create fun, memorable photos and a unique twist on your special day.

Entertainment

If you're planning a wedding reception without dinner, you'll want to make sure your guests are entertained. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Ask the venue to create a couple of signature cocktails for you and your partner, and name them after yourselves, your favourite holiday location or a film.
• For food, have staff serve bite-sized hors d'oeuvres, and set up food stations serving oysters or a range of local cheeses.
• String up fairy lights, hire a projector and screen, and throw some bean bags around the garden for an outdoor movie night.
• If you're having a backyard party, decorate your garden with festoon lighting, paper lanterns or homemade decorations such as photo bunting. Put together a playlist of chilled summer tunes.
• Hire a band or DJ to get your guests dancing.
• Set up some lawn games, such as giant Jenga or croquet.

Frequently asked questions